do at-home insemination kits work?
I found myself at the dentist’s office with my two sons, who were 9 and 7 years old at the time. My eldest son, Jake, has always struggled with anxiety, especially when it comes to anything medical. He was hospitalized for a week when he was just 5, dealing with a mysterious illness that involved countless pokes, an IV for constant hydration, and blood draws every few hours. That week didn’t leave any physical scars, but it certainly left emotional ones.
Even now, he gets anxious about doctor visits, despite my assurances that there will be no needles involved. During our latest dental appointment, he was visibly tense and had a tough time with the x-rays. At one point, the dental hygienist asked, “Is he on medication for anxiety?” I was caught off guard and replied, “No,” explaining his medical history and the resulting anxiety.
Beyond medical situations, I observed Jake exhibiting signs of anxiety—nervous outbursts, fidgeting, and other tics. At first, I questioned, “What’s wrong with my son?” But after that dental visit, I began to shift my perspective and asked, “What’s wrong with our society that I thought the issue lay with him?”
As parents, my partner and I aimed to raise empathetic and thoughtful children who care about the world around them. Jake’s anxiety was a reflection of our success. He was aware of and empathetic toward the challenges in the world. If I treated his feelings as if something was “wrong” with him, I risked deepening his anxieties and making him feel flawed.
Within a short period, Jake experienced numerous distressing events: wildfires that forced evacuations from his school and our home, significant wildlife and property loss in our community, a school shooting at a nearby school that led to a lockdown at his school, and a close friend suddenly ignoring him. All of this, coupled with an increasing awareness of climate change, would make anyone anxious—especially a 10-year-old.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, leading us to shelter-in-place. Jake also became more aware of the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing violence against Black Americans, which affected him deeply as the son of a Black father. To cope with his anxiety, he started pulling his hair out.
However, I stopped asking myself, “What’s wrong with my child?” because I realized there was nothing wrong with him. He was simply processing and engaging with the complexities of the world around him.
By acknowledging that Jake’s feelings were normal and sharing this perspective with friends who had similar concerns about their children, I found a sense of relief. I could focus on creating a nurturing environment for our family. We began having open discussions about societal issues and sharing stories of hope—especially ones that highlighted joy within the Black community. When Jake expressed his need for more uplifting stories, we actively sought them out.
We discovered a fantastic course on Black Innovators on Outschool, organized Imagination Exercise sessions with his aunt, a Buddhist translator, who guides him through meditation practices, and made it a point to enjoy outdoor activities together. We believe that empowering him to engage with the challenges he sees helps alleviate his anxiety, as feelings of powerlessness can exacerbate those fears.
Jake even took the initiative to create a video game, committing to donate 25% of the proceeds to Black Lives Matter and another 25% to COVID relief efforts. He is currently researching homelessness in our community and developing an action-oriented project based on his findings.
I’m pleased to say his hair is growing back, he has fewer bald spots, and he laughs more. The world is still full of challenges, but my son isn’t one of them. His empathy and understanding of the world are treasures, not burdens. My kid is all right.
For more insights on navigating parenting challenges, be sure to check out our other blog posts on related topics, such as dietary restrictions in family life.
Summary
This article discusses the experience of raising an anxious tween, focusing on the emotional challenges faced by children in today’s world. The author highlights the importance of recognizing children’s feelings as valid and nurturing open discussions about societal issues. By fostering a supportive environment and empowering children to engage with the world, parents can help alleviate anxiety and encourage empathy.
Keyphrase
Raising anxious tweens
Tags
- home insemination kit
- home insemination syringe
- self insemination